American Express® legal entity changes 2022
Frequently asked questions for Corporate clients
The changes described here affect the Belgian and Luxembourg markets.
In 2022, American Express® ("AMEX") wishes to migrate the portfolios of both Alpha Card CVBA/SCRL ("AC") and Alpha Card Merchant Services CVBA/SCRL ("ACMS") to the AMEX payment institutions authorised in Spain, American Express Europe, S.A. ("AEESA") and American Express Payments Europe, S.L. ("AEPE"), by means of a double cross-border merger transaction. The merger is part of our group strategy to centralise all our European payment services in our Spanish hubs.
AEESA issues American Express Cards for consumers and business customers, while AEPE connects merchants so that they can accept American Express Cards.
As a result of the mergers, the payment services that are supplied in Belgium and Luxembourg will be provided through the Belgian branches of AEESA and AEPE respectively, rather than through AC and ACMS.
Questions for Corporate and Business Clients
On 30th September 2022, the date of the merger, American Express Europe S.A. ("AEESA") will merge with Alpha Card ("AC") and absorb AC. AC will cease to exist as a legal entity. As of 30th September 2022, the services previously provided by AC will be offered by the Belgian branch of AEESA.
In the merger between the two Card-issuing entities, AEESA will merge with AC and absorb AC. AC will cease to exist as a legal entity and all the rights and obligations of AC will be transferred to American Express Europe SA. This includes, among other things, the contracts with the Corporate and Business Cardholders, Corporate Clients, employees and suppliers.
The new legal entity is American Express Europe S.A., a company governed by Spanish law, with its registered office at Avenida Partenón 12-14, 28042 Madrid (Spain), registered with the Madrid Commercial Registry under number M–257407, Volume 15,348, Section 8, Book 204, first entry, and tax identification number NIF A-82628041. American Express Europe S.A. is authorized by the Banco de España as payment institution and is registered in that capacity under number 6837, with www.americanexpress.es as its most important commercial website.
The services are provided through American Express Europe S.A. Belgian branch, Vorstlaan 100, 1170 Brussels (Watermaal-Bosvoorde), registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and for VAT under number (BE)0776.653.759, with a bank account at BNP Paribas Fortis (BIC GEBABEBB) IBAN BE39 2100 0821 2619, and www.americanexpress.be as its most important commercial website.
The merger should not have any effect on our services. The existing services will be provided by the same teams as before the merger. The aim is to maintain uninterrupted service in Belgium and Luxemburg and to continue to focus on meeting the needs of our customers, partners and employees. In order to reflect the merger and the change in contractual party (from AC to AEESA), the general terms and conditions have been amended and can be consulted here:
- General terms and conditions for Corporate Cardholders
- General terms and conditions for Corporate Programmes
- General terms and conditions for American Express Business Cards (for small businesses)
On the same page, under 'General Terms and Conditions', you will also find a clear overview of the main changes to the general terms and conditions as a consequence of the merger.
The frequently asked questions and summary of the main changes are provided for informative purposes. In the event of confusion, discrepancies or questions of interpretation, the general terms and conditions take precedence.
No. You can use the same channels you always have for any enquiries. The account manager for Corporate Programmes remains unchanged and can be contacted on the same channels as before the merger. All Business and Corporate Cardholders can still use the contact number on the back of the Card.
No, you will not receive a new Card. You can simply keep on using your existing Card.
No. The SEPA Direct Debit mandate to AC will be transferred to AEESA. You do not need to take any action. The bank account is and will remain at BNP Paribas Fortis (BIC GEBABEBB) IBAN BE39 2100 0821 2619.
No. The merger does not require an update of your KYC or KYB data.
The American Express legal entity (AEESA) that has now taken over the legal relationship with you will collect, use, share, and store your data as described in our Privacy Statement French - Dutch (which also explains how the American Express group of companies may do this). Regardless of the place where we process your data, we will take the necessary steps to ensure an adequate level of protection for your data.
For the insurance policies, AEESA is now working with AMEX Asesores de Seguros, Sociedad de Agencia de Seguros Vinculada, S.A.U. ("Amex Seguros"), a company under Spanish law in the American Express group active as an insurance broker and permitted to conduct insurance broking activities in Belgium and Luxembourg under the supervision of the Direccion General de Seguros (DGS), under number AJ0022.
There are currently no changes linked to this that affect the insurance benefits linked to your Card, because the insurers (AXA and Chubb) will remain the same.
You can find the letter in a different language here:
For American Express clients with a Business Card
For businesses with an American Express Corporate Programme
For American Express clients with a Corporate Card
